Egan preaches Good Friday service

April 10, 2009 7:35:22 PM PDT

NEW YORK --

Cardinal Edward Egan held a three-hour Good Friday service at St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan just days after being released from the hospital. He spoke briefly to worshippers about his health, saying that "none of us in our lives ever expect to totally escape suffering."

He added: "For all of you who are young, let me tell you it is an experience that is more intense as you grow older."

The 77-year-old says he has not completely recovered from a health scare. But he's determined to lead worshippers through his last Holy Week before retiring as head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York.

Egan says he went to the hospital with a severe gastrointestinal virus. While treating him, doctors suggested a pacemaker for a heart condition. He plans to consult more doctors.